After Addiction: Road Cycling Tips for Beginners

Cycling can expand your horizons and give you a new look at the world.

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You don’t even realize it’s happening at the time, but addiction has a way of shrinking your world.

Before you know it, the only thing that really matters is drugs or alcohol—and life begins to revolve around that substance.

Cycling is one of the tools you can use to get your life back. It literally gets you out into the world, releases your body’s own feel-good chemicals and gives you a feeling of accomplishment. Plus, it’s fun.

How to Start Cycling

The number one rule is to protect your head. Get a helmet and make sure it fits properly.

If you already have a bike, make sure the tires and brakes are in good shape. If you’re covering any distance at all, it’s also a good idea to learn basic bike repair skills and carry the tools you’ll need in your saddlebag, including:

A multi-tool that has wrenches, a chain splitter and a screwdriver.

At least one back-up inner tube and a puncture repair kit, plus a tire lever to remove the tire in the event of a flat.

Either a CO2 cartridge or a small pump, which can be mounted to your frame if it doesn’t fit in your bag.

If you’re buying a new bike, consider making your purchase at your local bike shop, where you can be properly fitted for both a bike and helmet.

Once you’re on the road, experts recommend not pedaling in a high gear for extended periods of time, which puts extra stress on the knees. The same goes for pedaling uphill.

Relapse Prevention Strategies and The Raleigh House

The Raleigh House is a residential treatment center located in Denver that believes in teaching you the skills you need to thrive—and enjoy life—once you leave our care. Our master’s level trained therapists get to the root cause of addiction and will help you develop a strategy to manage and enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our 90-day drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.